Let’s assume you have “issues” that need to be dealt with. If you had a bad start, figure out what you have to do to start near the favored end in an open space. Think about your final approach and how and when you need to accelerate. Practicing a few starts, with timed runs, and doing more line research can help improve for the next one.

If you had tactical issues, determine whether you were sailing in the most wind available on the course. Make sure you know which is the long tack—is your bow aiming at the mark most of the time? Evaluate whether there were any other racecourse features such as current or a geographic shift that you missed. How was your lane management: did you keep the boat in clear air as much as possible?

And finally, talk speed. You must be fast to do well in sailboat races—there’s no disputing that fact. And speed can be the most illusive of the big three. If you have speed, you can make a few tactical mistakes and still be just fine. Without speed you have to be perfect in all other areas and you still might not do well. When addressing speed issues you should quickly discuss how the helmsman is driving, how the sails are being trimmed, and whether the rig tune is correct for the conditions. If the wind changed velocity and you got caught out of tune, or you were not going well upwind, adjust the rig and make sure you note how many turns you made—if it ends up being an improvement you can add it to your tuning guide. The simplest way to quickly improve is to copy those faster than you. Don’t be afraid to ask the fast guys what they are doing and then imitate their settings or technique.

Once you’ve tackled these three elements you can get right into the mechanics of your first race pre-start routine. While the race committee gets ready, use that time to do wind shots and short sails upwind. This will help you stay in the game and not lose track of the wind patterns while also helping your speed. Check the current, if necessary, and then get your starting line sights and laylines. The key is to stay active and do plenty of research, improving your chances of success. Before you know it you’ll be rolling right into the next race and as ready as anyone else on the water.

Find all the installments of Steve Hunt's Around the Racecourse series here.